Burning Smell Before A Stroke?

Question

Originally asked by Community Member pat stuart

Burning Smell Before A Stroke?

Do patients report a smell of burning toast prior to a heart attack or prior to a stroke? If there are no other symptoms, just a smell of something burning such as toast or hair, could this be a symptom of a stroke or heart attack?

Answer

There is a fairly common misconception that if you smell something that is not there (such as burnt toast) it is a sign of a stroke. This is not true. However, because a stroke can occur in any region of the brain, the sense of smell can be affected. Rather than smelling something that isn’t there, though, it’s more likely that the ability to smell anything will be hindered or that your response to smells is altered.

You should know
Answers to your question are meant to provide general health information but should not replace medical advice you receive from a doctor. No answers should be viewed as a diagnosis or recommended treatment for a condition.